The 2013-14 wrestling season was a good one for the Schuylkill Valley High School team. They went 12-5 and were sectional team champions. They also had a pair of wrestlers who made it all the way to the state tournament. The question is, can they equal, or better last year’s season?
It will be a difficult challenge. This year’s squad will be a very young and inexperienced one. There is only handful of wrestlers with varsity experience, and there will be 17 freshmen and sophomores.
The Panthers lost some very talented wrestlers to graduation last year, but they do have some experience coming back.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting year,’ said head coach Duane Maurer, who is starting his 34th year at the post. “Our team goal ios to be better than last year, and to be better at the end of the year than at the beginning.’
It will be a learning season for many on the team, but there are a few who are expected to have banner year’s.
The team is led by senior Josh Giorgio, who had an overall record of 38-7 last year, finished fourth at the Southeastern Regional Tournament last year, and went 1-2 at the state tournament. He’s expected to get back to the state tournament, only this time he’d like to come home with a state medal.
The other two seniors on the team are Colby Geisinger and Jonathan Tindall. Geisinger was 27-17 last year and was a District 3-AA qualifier. He will be counted on heavily to do even better this year. Tindall was 28-12 last season.
“The seniors on the team are great kids and hard workers,’ said Maurer. “They have super attitudes and are providing positive leadership. They love to compete.
Joel Orlando and Jerthro Solomon are the only other wrestlers on the team with significant time at the varsity level last year. Orlando was 16-17 and Solomon was 12-13.
Others to look out for this year are: Kyle Dimivitz, Teddy Limberiou, Jake Johnson, George Limberiou and Hunter Williams.
“We need to stay healthy and get the right wrestlers to the correct weights,’ said Maurer when asked about the key to a successful season. “The strength of this team is positive leadership from the seniors, good work ethic, positive attitude and good athletes.’
Mauer is hoping that will be enough for this team to win a division title. That will be a rough goal to meet for such a young team. But Mauer usually gets the best out of his athletes. Nothing is out of the question for this team.
